Community Letters to the Editor Police & Fire

Letter to the editor: Levy funds help Gig Harbor Fire protect the community

Ballots have been delivered and more than 10% of those in the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One service area have already been returned to the County Clerk. As Fire District Commission Chairman, I hope the majority of these, and the ones still sitting on kitchen counters, are cast in support of the District’s general levy.

By day, I am a financial advisor, helping people plan to meet their long-term financial goals. I advise them to think about their current lifestyle as they consider what they may need in the future and with these needs in mind, start saving and investing. The Fire District works in much the same way, looking at recent community growth to project future needs to ensure the highest levels of service and protection.

The levy renewal generates funds for the District’s day-to-day operations and will fund capital projects like replacing engines, breathing devices, and communications equipment that are critical to serving our growing community and keeping firefighters safe.

It won’t come as a surprise to anyone who lives here that the District has seen steady growth in call volume. Between 2021 and 2022, we experienced a 10% increase in call volumes, because a growing population means additional housing units, new businesses, and more cars on the road. We need to keep pace with growth and ensure we can maintain and expand our service levels across the district, strategically. Research shows that faster response times and fully staffed response teams result in better outcomes in all types of emergency situations.

The District has made smart, conservative fiscal decisions about replacing equipment when our economy was slow, opting to repair older safety equipment and engines through what might have been a normal replacement schedule. Now, even this well-maintained equipment is reaching the end of what manufacturer’s recommend for lifetime use. Moreover, annual maintenance is outpacing the cost of replacement.

We, at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One, recognize that our residents and businesses support the fire district through the investments they make in our firefighters and facilities, and we feel duty-bound to provide swift and skilled emergency response when people need it most. The renewal of the general levy to fund operations and equipment is crucial to honoring our commitments to maintain and improve our services.

Joe Urvina

Gig Harbor